File handler/explorer

In the Smartphone & Pocket PC Mag VIP Help forum, I’ve received the following question:

“When I create an email on my Mogul (HTC4000) and go to insert file, my memory card is not a listed option to pick from any ideas? My Moto Q did this as did my 6700 before thatâ€

The explanation and cure for this is pretty simple. (Note that if this problem doesn’t apply to you, don’t stop reading: in the second part of this tutorial, I provide you with some really useful tips. Also note that this article deprecates my pre-WM5 one published HERE. I also explain the difference between the MS Smartphone and Pocket PC platforms, file dialog-wise.)

First, the explanation. Let’s see the case of the Moto Q – that is, MS Smartphone devices. In which way is the MS Smartphone (that is, touchscreen-less) platform different from the “big brotherâ€, the Pocket PC OS? In several ways, of course – it’s much dumber in almost every respect (I miss the ability to fine-tune the backlight level the most). In a way, however, it’s (at least for many users) much more useful and usable than the Pocket PC operating system: its file dialog box is entirely different from that of Pocket PC’s. This, however, greatly confuses users switching between the two platforms.

When you go to Menu / Insert / File (or, more generally, you select a file from any program - again, this tutorial is a generic one), you’ll have direct access to all the directories (including the storage card(s)) as can be seen in the following screenshot:

Here, if you do select the storage card (by going to Menu / Storage Card), you’ll be taken directly to the card and, there, can select (left softkey) any file, in any directory, as can be seen for example in the following screenshot:

On Pocket PC’s, the situation is vastly different. When, upon composing a mail, you select Menu / Insert / File, you’re shown ALL the (accessible – see the rules later) files in one listbox as can be seen in the following screenshot:

The forthcoming, 7 version of well-known desktop Windows PC file explorer tool Total Commander has entered beta 1.

It's available here; the beta forum is here.

Also note that the Pocket PC version has also entered 2.5 beta 2 in late June. As opposed to version 2.0, it's much more WM5-friendly.

Unfortunately, the traditional way of associating file extensions with applications is broken in Resco File Explorer (tested in both the latest (5.35) version and in 5.21). That is, if you tap-and-hold a, say, PDF file, choose Open/Open With...

http://www.resco.net/pocketpc/explorer/

Resco File Explorer (RE for short) is without doubt the best file explorer tool for the Pocket PC, particularly if you take into account the many other applications (the Registry Explorer, which is IMHO the best registry editor for the PPC, the FTP client and the also pretty good Today plug-in) you also get bundled with the application. Version 5.30 was released in late November and introduced some really cool and innovative stuff, most importantly the Recycle Bin. Please see this blog entry for a review of that version and a genuine hack that makes the Recycle Bin much more useful if you delete a lot of files from the main RAM regularly. A new, minor version upgrade to 5.31 has recently been released. I've tested it and compared to the older version(s). It seems it's just a maintenance/bugfix version without anything groundbreaking.

http://www.resco.net/pocketpc/explorer/default.asp

If you don't know Resco File Explorer (which, incidentally, even won the Best Software Awards 2005 in the File Management category), you definitely should give it a test ride – you won't regret it. It's by far the best all-in-one program, as far as file and registry management functions are considered. (Its Today plug-in and FTP module aren't that good/featureful/reliable, though, compared to the alternatives.) In this article, I explain what has changed in this version. Even more importantly, I show you how you can greatly improve its functionality by relocating its brand new, "killer" feature, Recycle Bin, to a storage card.